New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina looking to overtake Elfrid Payton in depth chart

New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina
Jan 13, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina (11) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks came close to trading third-year point guard Frank Ntilikina this off-season after two years of disappointing play. They also brought in veteran free agent Elfrid Payton to supplement the deficiencies of The Frenchman.

While Frank’s future with the Knicks was in jeopardy, he managed to stay on the team and will compete for another season. This could be his final opportunity to prove his worth and increase his scoring production in an attempt to overtake Payton for the number two point guard spot.

Ntilikina will likely be on the active roster for the start of the regular season, but will he start a game in 2019 or will he come off the bench as a situational player?

I imagine a head coach David Fizdale will utilize Frank in defensive scenarios and extract value in that sense. Averaging just 5.9 points per game over the past two seasons does not spur optimism regarding an increase in production.

However, during the FIBA World Cup, he averaged over eight points per game and showed improvement on the offensive side of the ball. His defense was stellar and even outshined Kemba Walker when the French national team beat team USA in a historic victory.

Where does Frank Ntilikina stand with the New York Knicks?

Ntilikina will likely enter the season as the Knicks number three-point guard behind Dennis Smith Jr. and Payton. Smith will start the season due to his youth and potential moving forward, but Payton offers a good security blanket given his proven qualities. If Frank can average 10 to 15 minutes per game, that could give him the necessary time to develop and show he has elevated his game. They say that three times the charm and Ntilikina is undoubtedly running out of time.

I believe that this upcoming season will present the best opportunity for the point guard, considering the pressure being alleviated and his comfort level increases. His first two years of shooting the basketball were horrendous, but that doesn’t mean his third season will be bad. He has combined for 35.4% from the field and 30.5% on three-pointers. That resulted in just 5.9 points per game over 20 minutes. Ntilikina surely hasn’t given us reason to believe he can reach his potential, but we’ve seen crazier things happen in the NBA.